I glossed over the nightstand. There was, in fact, a letter right on top of it. Midnight blue and stamped with the golden Proscotti Royal Family seal. I had Donna pick it up and give it to me.

Looks like the old Fantasia really kept the envelope in good condition because of the contents of this letter. I opened it and began to read:

Dear Lady Everdeen,

I hope that this letter finds you well. You’re probably dealing with a lot right now, and I apologize how this peace arrangement has inconvenienced you. I hope you understand that it’s for the best.

I’ve heard about something very interesting, though. The Alabastrum Kingdom is known for its men honoring polygamy. It’s not strange for women to partake, but it’s heavily looked down upon. It probably has something to do with their etiquette and bridal teachings.

I’ve also come across some intel that may be of use to you. Wedding nights are sacred over there. If a woman has yet to perform her marital duties to her husband, the marriage is no longer valid. One would have to go to the church and request mediation for a smooth divorce process.

I’m not one for rumors in my old age, but maybe this will help alleviate your burdens.

Well, regards!

Stephen Leo Silva Proscotti

Oh… We love a good loophole.

I hand the letter back to Donna, “Please take this and burn it.”

“Are you sure, my lady?” Donna asked. “You treasured this letter for two years. You wouldn’t even allow me near it.”

It was still shocking to Donna how Fantasia would allow her to pick up the letter. She would read it every night before she went to bed. She would even cry before putting the letter away.

I shook my head, “Yes, burn it. I’m ready to move on with my life.”

“Yes, my lady!” Donna smiled as she went to the fireplace and burned the contents.

To me, Donna was a very capable maid. She swept up all the debris and dusted the windows. The bed was made, and tea was served. She made sure to even drink the tea before handing it to me, in fear that I would get poisoned.

“We don’t want to have that happen again,” Donna lectured. “I’ll make sure that you don’t go through that ever again, my lady!”

She was the little sister that I wish I had. If I had someone like Donna in my corner in my previous life, maybe I wouldn’t have jumped from my boss’s building.

Oh well, that’s in the past now.

“Donna,” I called out to her, sipping my lavender tea. “Did I really spend the night with the Marquis?”

“Yes, you have, but you didn’t really do anything with him,” she explained. “You would just complain about how unfair the King was being to you and walk with him in the gardens.”

“I see…”

I went into deep thought. To summarize, Fantasia never slept with a single individual while in the palace. She was disrespected upon arrival even now. Out of sight, out of mind — to the point where one of the concubines, or maybe the new Queen herself, would have her tea poisoned.

It would have been the perfect setup for war between the two Kingdoms. The issue now is why they would want to start a war in the first place. I’m ignorant on the subject, and honestly, not a fan of politics.

There’s no helping it. I need my peace. First thing I’ll do is make my way to the church and plead my innocence. This way, I can have my divorce and live a much more fruitful life. I don’t know how alimony works, but I’m sure the King will have no choice but to give me a portion of his treasury for committing such a wrong to a foreign noble lady.

“Call a taxi, Donna,” I said.

“What’s a taxi?” she asked.

I almost choked on the tea. Right, this isn’t 2023 anymore. I can’t just tell her to whip out her phone and call a taxi service. What was it again that they used for transportation? Horses? I’ve never rode a horse before.

“Oh, uh, it’s a transportation service,” I nervously said. “You know, when you call someone to take you from one place to another.”

“Ah, so a carriage!” Donna exclaimed. “I’ll get right on that, my lady! Eh, but where are you going?”

“I need to go to the church and pray,” I hurriedly said. “Having to sit here cooped up in this palace is stifling!”

Donna blinked and shook her head, “Of course, Lady Fantasia! I’ll make sure you look presentable in front of the High Priest. I’ll get your bath ready right away!”

She took a chair and placed it in front of the mirror, then ran off to get the water running. I was going to stop her and tell her there’s no need to do all that for me, but I have a feeling that this is normal for nobility — to be served and pampered by their servants.

Only men from my previous life have seen my naked body. I’ve never let another woman see it yet.

Donna came back, leading me into the bathroom and helping me undress. However, I heard a loud gasp from behind. I turned to see Donna’s face all white and eyes watering.

Oh no, not the waterworks again!

“What’s wrong, Donna?” I asked, coming up to her.

“How could they do this to you…? That’s nothing short of inhumane!” Donna balled. “What did your ladyship ever do to deserve such treatment?”

I’m so confused. I walked over to a mirror hanging on a wall and turned my back to it. Bruises. Cuts. Scratches. My back was all purple and blue. Seeing it almost made me want to throw up.

That diabolical woman… You haunt me in this life, too...?

I picked up a brush on the table and threw it at the mirror, shattering it. Donna was taken aback by the loud crash but pulled me back from the debris so that I wouldn’t get hurt.

Seeing those wounds made me see red. I couldn’t calm down unless something was broken. It was a good thing that Donna didn’t get hurt.

Turning around, I gave her a smile, “From now on, mirrors are no longer welcomed in the bathroom.”

Donna couldn’t help but smile back at me through her tears, “Yes, your ladyship!”

Donna quarantined the debris in a corner and helped me with my bath, “I’ll sweep up the debris and throw the mirror out after our excursion, my lady. I’ll make sure that you’re the most beautiful out of all the women in the palace today.”

“Thank you, Donna,” I sighed. “I’m counting on you.”

—

Looking out the window of the carriage, the Alabastrum Kingdom was a sight to behold. The streets were packed with commoners going to and fro. Stalls were set up selling various goods. Kids were running around.

The view alone was enough to tell you that the Kingdom was thriving.

The carriage stopped. Looks like we arrived at our destination. I was too busy daydreaming to realize.

“We’re here, my lady!” Donna exclaimed.

I was helped out of the carriage by the driver, “You look stunning, my liege.”

My hair was put up elegantly in a braided bob. The dress Donna picked out for me was nothing short of amazing but hard to breathe in due to the corset. Yellow and white, adorned with ribbons on the bottom. The heels were complimenting my complexion, also a nice yellow and white with an amethyst wrapped around the ankle straps to compliment my eyes.

Radiant was an understatement. Donna did a good job.

“Compliments to my one and only maid,” I said to him, getting out of the carriage. “We’ll call for you again in a little while. Please stand by.”

“Yes, my liege,” the driver said.

The driver went back to his seat to find a place to park. It wasn’t the royal carriages that the palace provided. In fact, according to Donna, the king forbade Fantasia from ever using the royal carriages due to her infidelity.

This makes no sense because the king is the one who has five wives.

Not wanting to waste time, we both made our way into the church. A young male bishop caught a glimpse of us and quickly made his way to greet us.

“A splendid evening today, my liege,” the bishop bowed.

“Oh no, please raise your head,” I insisted. “We came to see the High Priest. Is he available?”

“He may be a little busy at the moment, I’m afraid,” he apologized. “Would you please wait a moment? I’ll let him know that you came.”

Donna pouted, “I guess it can’t be helped. We came here immediately without sending a letter seeking an audience with him.”

The young man smiled, “Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please come with me.”

The bishop led us to the sitting room. It was elegant but plain. That’s normally a good sign that the church isn’t corrupted. I sat down on the couch, Donna standing right behind it.

“Would you like some tea, my liege?” the bishop asked. “We have chamomile and honey.”

“I would love some,” I replied. “Would you please prepare the tea in front of me? It’s nothing against you.”

“As you wish,” he smiled, walking off to grab the essentials.

“Thank you for your time, High Priest Skylark,” a soft male voice stated.

Donna’s eyes widened, “That sounds like…”

We both turned our heads to the doorway. Coming in was a slender man with long white hair, black eyes, porcelain skin, and white robes. He looked to be the High Priest. Next to him was another man in a black suit and tie. He had short blonde hair and brown eyes. His expression was soft like a puppy.

The blonde-haired man was the first to notice me and tensed up. I simply blinked.

Donna whispered in my ear, “That’s Marquis Hannington, my lady.”

So that’s why he tensed up. I almost feel bad for the guy for being at the center of all that gossip. I wonder what his wife thinks.

Then it dawned on me.

Wait… I can use this opportunity to my advantage!